WEYMOUTH Sailing Club members enjoyed a busy weekend as teams battled it out on the water for the Rear Admiral’s Cup.

Meanwhile, on dry land, barbecues and the commodore’s summer Pimm’s party took place.

Club member Rear Admiral John Croydon RN presented a cup for team racing to be awarded every year. This year, the trophy was contested by match racing teams over three pursuit races.

Club members have a number of identical boats from dinghies and two-person keel boats to cruisers and high-performance yachts.

Two teams, with matched boats on each side, started according to their speed capabilities.

The object of the race was to not only beat the boat you started with, but try and catch up the slower boats and beat them and if possible obstruct the opposition in the process.

In champagne sailing conditions out in Weymouth Bay, 12 boats were set windward-leeward courses in a rising breeze.

After four hours out on the water, vice-commodore Iain Jones’ team triumphed.

Back at Weymouth Sailing Club’s Nothe Parade HQ, a barbecue was being prepared by the club’s social team for the weary sailors. The trophy was then presented to the winners.

On Sunday, the annual Commodore’s Pimm’s tea party was held at the club.

Club members rubbed shoulders with invited guests, friends and neighbours to enjoy fresh cut sandwiches, scones with cream and iced Pimm’s. Deputy Mayor Colin Huckle was in attendance, along with commodores from along the coast.

The sun shone as Sarah Owens, the club’s social secretary, led her team to ensure that everyone was fed and watered.

Sarah said afterwards: “It was such a lovely day – we had moe than 90 guests who had the chance to chat in relaxed surroundings out on the club’s sun deck overlooking the River Wey and Weymouth Bay.”